Leps’ Dusi wins Class 2A singles title
Belle Vernon sophomore Gabriella Dusi completed her two-day run with a straight-sets victory in the WPIAL Class AA Girls Singles Championship final Thursday afternoon at North Allegheny.
The fifth-seeded Dusi swept past Beaver’s Chloe DeSanzo, the second seed, in the gold medal match, 6-0, 6-1.
Dusi dropped only seven games on her way to the district title.
Dusi opened with a 10-2 win against Sewickley Academy’s Maria Sirianni. She cruised through the quarterfinals with a 10-2 victory over Greensburg Central Catholic’s Sasha Hoffman.
Dusi defeated Winchester Thurston’s Cecilia Gurgel, the top seed, in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, in the semifinals.
The daughter of Jodi and Steve Dusi, of Belle Vernon, said her run through the WPIAL tournament was closer than the scores indicated.
“I feel I did a very good job controlling points (in the final). We played very good points,” said Dusi. “I really worked on staying positive and having confidence in my ability.
“I felt we all had an even playing field going in. I had confidence going in.”
Dusi is a relative newcomer to the sport introduced to her by her father.
“My dad got me started around 10. He started when he was older. I started playing at 12,” explained Dusi.
With no team and no regular season matches, Dusi works out at a local club.
“I play in the Upper St. Clair tennis development. My coach is Jan Irwin,” said Dusi.
Dusi, the top seed despite not being on a team, ran through the Section 2-AA qualifier. After an opening round bye, she ran off wins of 10-0, 6-1, 6-1, and 6-1, 6-2.
Dusi entered the WPIAL tournament without much fanfare, especially just a day before Friday’s big football game against Thomas Jefferson.
“I did have a lot of teachers wish me luck,” said Dusi. “It feels amazing to be able to represent Belle Vernon. It meant a lot.”
Gurgel defeated Hampton’s Grace Stitt, the third seed, for the bronze medal, 6-4, 6-3.
Dusi, DeSanzo and Gurgel earned a berth into the PIAA Championship.
Shady Side Academy freshman Meriweather McCargo defeated Penn-Trafford sophomore Amelia Williams, 7-6 (1), 6-1, to win the Class AAA gold medal. Pine-Richland freshman Caroline Prisk won the bronze medal with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory against North Allegheny senior Lacticia Tic-Wessel.